Mixing paddle

ABSTRACT

A mixing paddle specifically designed to produce pastry dough is disclosed. The mixing paddle is comprised of a shaft, a rim, a first plurality of parallel blades and a second plurality of parallel blades. The shaft bisects the rim, creating a first side and a second side. The first plurality of parallel blades is perpendicular to the second plurality of parallel blades.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This U.S. utility patent application is a continuation of U.S. utilitypatent application Ser. No. 16/930,360, which was filed Jul. 16, 2020,and which claimed priority to U.S. provisional application No.62/879,842, filed Jul. 29, 2019.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the classifications for baking; equipment formaking or processing doughs; and to one or more sub-classificationsrelating to structural elements of mixing or kneading machines.Specifically, this invention is a mixing paddle for use with a mixingmachine.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Traditionally, a baker mixes pie crust dough by pressing a pastry cutteragainst the bottom of a mixing bowl to cut butter and shortening intoflour and other dry ingredients. The resulting mixture should haveroughly pea-sized lumps of fat distributed evenly throughout the dryingredients. This is usually achieved by repeatedly rotating aparallel-bladed pastry cutter to different positions, pressing thecutter into the ingredients, then briefly stirring the mix. Hand-mixingcold butter into flour with a pastry cutter can be time-consuming andexhausting.

Optimum cutter blade spacing is crucial to obtaining a proper mix. Apastry cutter with blades that are too far apart leaves oversized,poorly distributed lumps. Blades that are too close together tend toclog and create lumps that are too small to produce a flaky crust. Wirecutters mix poorly and often fail to conform to the contours of a mixingbowl. Mixing machines equipped with standard mixing paddles or doughhooks do little more than push ingredients around a mixing bowl.

Some people avoid the difficulties of making pie crust by purchasingpre-made crusts from stores. However, most people prefer fresh pie crustmade to a favorite recipe, no matter how tedious and difficult it is tocreate. A mixing machine attachment that effectively cuts butter andshortening into dry ingredients would ease and simplify creation ofhomemade pie crust.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is intended to disclose the present invention, a novelmixing paddle. Embodiments of the invention are presented to illustrateand inform one skilled in the art. The mixing paddle is an attachment toa standard mixing machine. It allows a user to cut cold butter andshortening into a flour and dry ingredient mixture. Additionally, theattachment can be used to whip cream quickly and to efficiently mixthick batters, cookie doughs, and other hard-to-mix ingredients. Theattachment may be compatible with any type of food mixing machine.

The mixing paddle has a compound, integral center shaft that bisects arim. In one embodiment, the compound, integral center shaft bisects therim into two substantially equal halves. In the preferred embodiment,the compound, integral center shaft is comprised of a flange, a collar,a frustoconical member, and a spine. The compound, integral center shafthas a top and a bottom. The top of the compound, integral center shaftis called the flange and collar, and it has a mating opening to acceptthe beater shaft of a mixing machine. The frustoconical membertransitions the compound, integral center shaft from the collar to thespine. The spine is a long, thin structural member that extends to thebottom of the compound, integral center shaft.

The flange and collar of the compound, integral center shaft accepts themating element from the beater shaft of the mixing machine. The beatershaft can be locked in place with a lock nut. When the beater shaft ofthe mixing machine rotates, the mixing paddle rotates about thecompound, integral center shaft. The mixing paddle is placed in astandard mixing bowl compatible with the mixing machine. One or moreflange supports connect the flange to the rim, creating structuralrigidity. The flange and collar represent a generalized form that may inalternate embodiments include holes, splines, additional flanges andother structures known in the art to be suitable for attaching themixing paddle to a beater shaft of a stand mixer, or to a hand mixer orother mixing device.

The rim is formed from piece-wise members that are thin, flat, and wide.The rim is symmetrical about the compound, integral center shaft. Whenviewed from the front, this embodiment resembles a scutiform or shield.Other common shapes include partial Reuleaux triangles (triangles withrounded sides) and inverted arches, although the shape of the rim isunimportant. The rim merely needs to conform to the sides of a standardmixing bowl used with a stand mixer or hand mixer. The rim has two sidesdisposed opposite one another on each side of the compound, integralcenter shaft. For the sake of reference, the first side is to the rightof the compound, integral center shaft and the second side is to theleft of the compound, integral center shaft. This nomenclature isarbitrary and may be easily reversed.

The rim has two substantially lateral members disposed opposite oneanother about, and connecting to, the top of the compound, integralcenter shaft. The rim connects to the compound, integral center shaft atthe intersection of the collar and the frustoconical member. Each of thesubstantially lateral members is also connected to a filleted transitionmember. Each of the filleted transition members is also connected to acurved member. The two curved members join together at the bottom of thecompound, integral center shaft. The two curved members are contoured tomatch the sides of a standard mixing bowl.

A first plurality of parallel blades are disposed to the right of thecompound, integral center shaft, between the compound, integral centershaft and the first side of the rim. A second plurality of parallelblades are disposed to the left of the compound, integral center shaft,between the compound, integral center shaft and the second side of therim. Each of the first plurality of parallel blades are parallel to oneanother. Each of the second plurality of parallel blades are parallel toone another. Each of the first plurality of parallel blades is attachedto the first side of the rim, between the first side of the rim and thecompound, integral center shaft. Each of the second plurality ofparallel blades is attached to the second side of the rim, between thesecond side of the rim and the compound, integral center shaft. In thepreferred embodiment, the first plurality of parallel blades is locatedexactly across the compound, integral center shaft from the secondplurality of parallel blades, and is not offset towards the top or thebottom of the compound, integral center shaft when compared to thesecond plurality of parallel blades. The first plurality of parallelblades may be offset compared to the second plurality of parallelblades, but doing so will affect the uniformity of the fat chunks. Ifvaried fat chunks are desired, the first plurality of parallel bladesshould be offset relative to the second plurality of parallel blades.

The blades of the first plurality of parallel blades are substantiallyorthogonal to the blades of the second plurality of parallel blades. Thefirst plurality of parallel blades creates an angle with the compound,integral center shaft. This angle can be anywhere between zero degrees(indicating the first plurality of parallel blades is parallel to thecompound, integral center shaft) and 180° (also indicating the firstplurality of parallel blades is parallel to the compound, integralcenter shaft). This angle can be acute, orthogonal, or obtuse. When thisangle is 0° or 180°, the second plurality of parallel blades is attachedto both the second side of the rim and to the compound, integral centershaft. When this angle is 90°, the first plurality of parallel blades isattached to both the first side of the rim and to the compound, integralcenter shaft. When this angle is acute or obtuse, both the first andsecond plurality of parallel blades are attached to both the rim and thecompound, integral center shaft.

In the preferred embodiment, the definable spacing of the blades in thefirst plurality of parallel blades is uniform, although the bladespacing may be non-uniform. Likewise, in the preferred embodiment, thedefinable spacing of the blades in the second plurality of parallelblades is uniform, although the blade spacing may be non-uniform.Non-uniform blade spacing will once again affect the uniformity of fatchunks. Regardless of whether the blade spacing is uniform ornon-uniform, the spacing between the blades should ideally be between 6mm and 13 mm. The edge of the blades may be uniform, tapered, orroughened.

The mixing paddle is ideally integrally fabricated from a rigid materialthat resists oxidation, acids, and bases, such as stainless steel,aluminum, zinc, magnesium, or a structural plastic such as acrylonitrilebutadience styrene (“ABS”), polycarbonate (“PC”), polypropylene (“PP”),polyamides (“nylon”), high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), and polyvinylchloride (“PVC”). The material should not leach into the dough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated with 9 drawings on 9 sheets. Theaccompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a partof this disclosure, illustrate various example embodiments. In thedrawings:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are identical front views of the present invention, amixing paddle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view rotated 180° from FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention, showing the orthogonalrelationship between the two sets of parallel blades.

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A shows an isolation of a non-uniform edge that is tapered. FIG.9B shows an isolation of a non-uniform edge that is tapered androughened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, butrather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the presentinvention, a mixing paddle. The present invention is illustrated with avariety of drawings showing the primary embodiments of the presentinvention, with various diagrams and figures explaining its workings.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The article “a” is intended to include one ormore items, and where only one item is intended the term “one” orsimilar language is used. To assist in the description of the presentinvention, words such as short, long, top, bottom, side, upper, lower,front, rear, inner, outer, right and left are used to describe therelative size and orientation of the present invention, a mixing paddle,with respect to the accompanying figures. The terminology includes thewords above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words ofsimilar import.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.The embodiments of the claimed subject matter may be described,modified, and adapted, and other implementations are possible. Forexample, substitutions, additions, or modifications, which performidentical functions to the embodiments disclosed, may be made to theelements illustrated in the drawings. Accordingly, the followingdetailed description does not limit the claimed subject matter. Theproper scope of the claimed subject matter is defined by the claimscontained herein. The claimed subject matter improves over the prior artby providing a mixing paddle that more nearly mimics a pastry cutter.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 show the present invention, a mixing paddle 1. Themixing paddle 1 has a compound, integral center shaft integrallycomprised of a flange 8, 50, a collar 40, a frustoconical member 199,and a spine 25. For reference, the flange 8 is at the top of thecompound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25. For reference, thespine 25 is at the bottom of the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50,40, 199, 25. The flange 8, 50 has a top surface 8, and a side surface50. The flange 8, 50 is integral with the collar 40. The rotatablebeater shaft containing a mating element from a mixing machine fitsthrough an opening 41 in the top surface 8 of the flange 8, 50. Theflange 8, 50 and collar 40 share an opening 42, 30 through which themating element on the rotatable beater shaft from a mixing machine fitsand locks. A lock nut 9 in the frustoconical member 199 can be tightenedto lock the mating element from the mixing machine in place. The flange8, 50 and collar 40 represent a generalized form that may in alternateembodiments include holes, splines, additional flanges and otherstructures known in the art to be suitable for attaching the mixingpaddle 1 to a beater shaft of a stand mixer, or to a hand mixer or othermixing device.

The collar 40 is integral with the frustoconical member 199. Thefrustoconical member 199 is integral with the spine 25.

A rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 is bisected by the compound, integral centershaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25, and is integrally attached to the compound,integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25 in at least two locations. Thecompound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25, as shown in FIGS.1A, 1B, and 2, bisects the rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 into two substantiallyequal halves 5, 4, 3 and 7, 6, 2. The rim members 5, 7 integrally attachwith the top of the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25at the transition from the collar 40 to the frustoconical member 99.Additionally, the rim members 2, 3 integrally attach with the compound,integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25 at the bottom 55 of the spine25. The rim is formed from piece-wise members 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 that arethin, flat, and wide. The rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 is symmetrical about thecompound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25. When viewed from thefront, this embodiment resembles a scutiform 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 or shield5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7. The rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 may take any number ofshapes, but it needs to conform to the sides of a standard mixing bowlused with a stand mixer or hand mixer.

The rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 has two sides disposed opposite one another oneach side of the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the first side 2, 6, 7 ofthe rim is disposed to the right of the compound, integral center shaft8, 50, 40, 199, 25 and the second side 5, 4, 3 is disposed to the leftside of the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25. Thefirst side 2, 6, 7 of the rim is disposed on the opposite side of thecompound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25 from the second side5, 4, 3. The terms “first side” and “second side” are arbitrary and maybe reversed.

The rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 has two substantially lateral members 5, 7,disposed opposite one another about, and connecting to, the compound,integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25. The rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7connects to the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25 atthe intersection of the collar 40, and the frustoconical member 199. Thesubstantially lateral member 5 is also connected to a filletedtransition member 4; the substantially lateral member 7 is alsoconnected to a filleted transition member 6. The filleted transitionmember 4 is also connected to a curved member 3. The filleted transitionmember 6 is also connected to the curved member 2. The two curvedmembers 2, 3 join together 55 at the bottom of the compound, integralcenter shaft 55. The two curved members 2, 3 are contoured to match thesides of a standard mixing bowl, which is well-known in the prior art.The spine 25 is integrally joined where the two curved piece-wisemembers 3, 2 meet at the bottom of the spine 55. The bottom of the spine55, where the spine 25 and the two piece-wise members 3, 2 meet, mayresemble an apex, if the curvature is discontinuous between 2 and 3where they meet 55; or the bottom 55 of the spine 25 and the twopiece-wise members 3, 2 may smooth, if the curvature is continuous.

In FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, a first 120 plurality of parallel blades 20 aredisposed to the right of the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40,199, 25, between the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25and the first side 2, 6, 7 of the rim. A second 110 plurality ofparallel blades are disposed to the left of the compound, integralcenter shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25, between the compound, integral centershaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25 and the second side 5, 4, 3 of the rim Each ofthe first 120 plurality of parallel blades 20 are parallel with oneanother 20. Each of the second 110 plurality of parallel blades 10 areparallel with one another 10. Each of the first 120 plurality ofparallel blades 20 is attached to one or more of the members of thefirst side of the rim 2, 6, 7. Each of the second 110 plurality ofparallel blades 10 is attached to one or more of the members of thesecond side of the rim 5, 4, 3. The first 120 plurality of parallelblades 20 is located exactly across the compound, integral center shaft8, 50, 40, 199, 25 from the second 110 plurality of parallel blades 10,and is not offset towards the top or the bottom of the compound,integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25 when compared to the second 110plurality of parallel blades 10.

In the first 120 plurality of parallel blades 20, one end of each of theblades 20 is attached to the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40,199, 25 at or below the frustoconical member 99. The other end of eachof the blades 20 is attached to either the curved member 2 or thefilleted transition member 6. With this orientation of the first 120plurality of parallel blades, it is not practical to attach an end ofany blade 20 to the substantially lateral member 7.

In the second 110 plurality of parallel blades 10, one end of each ofthe blades 10 is attached to the substantially lateral member 5, whilethe other end of each of the blades 10 is attached to the curved member3.

FIGS. 3-6 show the top (FIG. 5), bottom (FIG. 4), and sides (FIGS. 3 and6) of the present invention 1. In FIG. 3, in the first side view, theflange 8, collar 40, and opening 30 are visible at the top. Theperiphery of the frustoconical member 199 is visible from the side. Thefilleted transition member 6 and curved member 2 are also shown. Aflange 8 support 18 connects the flange 8 to the rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 atthe substantially lateral member 7. In FIG. 6, in the second side view,the flange 50, collar 40, frustoconical member 199, and curved member 3are visible.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view, with the connection 55 of the two curvedmembers 2, 3; the collar 40, and the frustoconical member 199. FIG. 5shows a top view, with the top surface 8 of the flange 8. Thesubstantially lateral members 5, 7, and the filleted transition members4, 6 of the rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 are visible from a top view. Theopening 41 through which the mating element of the beater shaft from themixing machine fits is also visible in this view.

The present invention, a mixing paddle 1 is intended to produce resultssimilar with, or superior to, manually using a pastry cutter. The mixingpaddle 1 is attached to the beater shaft of a mixer by passing thebeater shaft through the opening 41 in the top surface of the flange 8.The beater shaft has a mating element that mates with an opening 30, 42in the flange 50 and collar 40. The beater shaft can be locked in placeusing the lock nut 9. When the beater shaft of the mixing machinerotates, the mixing paddle 1 rotates.

In FIG. 7, the relationship between the two pluralities 110, 120 ofparallel blades 10, 20 is shown. Each blade has two edges 310 and twowide surfaces 410. The edges 310 of adjoining parallel blades 10, 20 arealigned. The wide surfaces 410 of adjoining parallel blades 10, 20 faceone another. The edges 310 and wide surfaces 410 of adjoining parallelblades 10, 20 are, in all respect, parallel with one another. Projecting220 the blades 20 from the first plurality 120 of parallel blades 20,until the projection lines 220 intersect[s] the blades 10 from thesecond plurality 110 of parallel blades 10 shows that the twopluralities 110, 120 of parallel blades 10, 20 are substantiallyorthogonal to one another, meaning that the angle 99 is approximately90°. Although the angle 99 does not have to be precisely 90°, for bestresults it should be close. In all cases, the angle 99 should be between80° and 100°, or roughly within 10% of being truly orthogonal.Preferably, the angle should be between 85° and 95°, or roughly within5% of being truly orthogonal. In this embodiment, the first plurality120 of parallel blades 20 creates an angle 49 with the spine 25 of thecompound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25. In this embodiment,the angle 49 is 90°. The first plurality 120 of parallel blades 20 havea definable spacing 71, which is uniform. The definable spacing 71 ofthe first plurality 120 of parallel blades 20 does not need to beuniform. The second plurality 110 of parallel blades 10 have a definablespacing 72, which is uniform. The definable spacing 72 of the secondplurality 110 of parallel blades 10 does not need to be uniform. Thedefinable spacing 71, 72 of the blades 20, 10 is ideally between 6 mmand 13 mm. The edge 48 of the blades 20, 10 are uniform in thisembodiment.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the mixing paddle 1′. Thisembodiment still has a rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 formed from piece-wisemembers rim 5, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 and resembling a scutiform or shield 5, 4,3, 2, 6, 7. In this figure, the relationship between the first plurality120 of parallel blades 20 and the second plurality 110 of parallelblades 10 is made with a projection line 210 defining the angle 99between the two pluralities 110, 120. The angle 99 shows that the twopluralities 110, 120 of parallel blades 10, 20 are substantiallyorthogonal to one another. Although the angle 99 does not have to beprecisely 90°, for best results it should be close. In all cases, theangle 99 should be between 80° and 100°, or roughly within 10% oforthogonal. Preferably, the angle should be between 85° and 95°, orroughly within 5% of orthogonal. In this embodiment, the first plurality120 of parallel blades 20 creates an angle 49 with the frustoconicalmember 199 of the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25. Inthis embodiment, the angle 49 is acute. Likewise, the angle 49 could beobtuse or zero. If the angle 49 is 0° or 180°, it means that the blades20 of the first plurality 120 of parallel blades 20 are parallel to thecompound, integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25. When this angle 49is 0° or 180°, the second plurality 110 of parallel blades 10 isattached to both the second side 5, 4, 3 of the rim and to the compound,integral center shaft 8, 50, 40, 199, 25. When this angle is 90°, thefirst plurality 120 of parallel blades 20 is attached to both the firstside of the rim 7, 6, 2 and to the compound, integral center shaft 8,50, 40, 199, 25. When this angle is acute or obtuse, both the first 120and second 110 plurality of parallel blades 10, 20 are attached to boththe rim 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and the compound, integral center shaft 8, 50,40, 199, 25.

The first plurality 120 of parallel blades 20 has a definable spacing71, which is uniform in this illustrated embodiment. The definablespacing 71 of the first plurality 120 of parallel blades 20 does notneed to be uniform. The second plurality 110 of parallel blades 10 has adefinable spacing 72, which is uniform in this illustrated embodiment.The definable spacing 72 of the second plurality 110 of parallel blades10 does not need to be uniform. The edge 48 of the blades 20, 10 areuniform in this embodiment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show alternative blades 10, 20, wherein the edge 310 isnot uniform. Each blade has two edges 310 and two wide surfaces 410. InFIG. 9A, the edge 310 can be tapered. In FIG. 9B, the edge 310′ is bothtapered and roughened. Roughening the edge 310′ can help create fatchunks of varied sizes and with irregular surfaces. Tapering thenon-uniform edge 310, 310′ can facilitate the cutting of the fat chunks,which can also be advantageous. As the beater shaft of a mixing machinerotates the mixing paddle 1 rotates through ingredients, the roughenededge 310′ of the blades tend to drag fat chunks along rather thanslicing through them cleanly, thereby promoting better mixing. Evenlysized fat chunks that are well-distributed in pastry dough produceflakiness in a baked pie crust.

Embodiments may be described above with reference to functions or acts,which comprise methods. The functions/acts noted above may occur out ofthe order as shown or described. For example, two functions/acts shownor described in succession may in fact be executed substantiallyconcurrently or the functions/acts may sometimes be executed in thereverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Whilecertain embodiments have been described, other embodiments may exist.Further, the disclosed methods' functions/acts may be modified in anymanner, including by reordering functions/acts and/or inserting ordeleting functions/acts, without departing from the spirit of theclaimed subject matter.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

I claim:
 1. A pastry paddle for use with an electric mixer comprising: ashaft, having a top and a bottom, and defining an axis about which thepastry paddle rotates; a collar for affixing the pastry paddle to anelectric mixer; a first plurality of blades, each blade having twoedges, two wide surfaces, a first end, and a second end; a secondplurality of blades, each blade having two edges, two wide surfaces, afirst end, and a second end; and a continuous peripheral rim; whereinthe continuous peripheral rim, the collar, and the top of the shaft arejoined together at a junction, with the shaft bisecting the continuousperipheral rim; wherein the shaft has a first side and a second side,the first side and second side being disposed opposite of one another;wherein the first plurality of blades is disposed on the first side ofthe shaft, each of the blades in the first plurality of blades isparallel with one another, and at least one end of each blade in thefirst plurality of blades is attached directly to the continuousperipheral rim; wherein the second plurality of blades is disposed onthe second side of the shaft, each of the blades in the second pluralityof blades is parallel with one another, each of the blades in the secondplurality of blades is perpendicular with each blade in the firstplurality of blades, and at least one end of each blade in the secondplurality of blades is attached directly to the continuous peripheralrim; and wherein the continuous peripheral rim completely encloses eachand every blade in both the first plurality of blades and the secondplurality of blades.
 2. A pastry paddle for use with an electric mixercomprising: a shaft, having a top and a bottom, and defining an axisabout which the pastry paddle rotates; a collar for affixing the pastrypaddle to an electric mixer; a totality of blades, consisting of theentirety of the blades in the paddle, each blade consisting of twoedges, two wide surfaces, a first end, and a second end; and acontinuous peripheral rim, completely surrounding and enclosing thetotality of blades; wherein the continuous peripheral rim, the collar,and the top of the shaft are joined together at a junction, with theshaft bisecting the continuous peripheral rim; wherein the shaft has afirst side and a second side, the first side and second side beingdisposed opposite of one another; wherein the totality of blades can beseparated into two distinct pluralities of blades; wherein a firstplurality of blades is disposed on the first side of the shaft, each ofthe blades in the first plurality of blades is parallel with oneanother, and at least one end of each blade in the first plurality ofblades is attached directly to the continuous peripheral rim; andwherein a second plurality of blades is disposed on the second side ofthe shaft, each of the blades in the second plurality of blades isparallel with one another, each of the blades in the second plurality ofblades is perpendicular with each blade in the first plurality ofblades, and at least one end of each blade in the second plurality ofblades is attached directly to the continuous peripheral rim.
 3. Apastry paddle for use with an electric mixer comprising: a totality ofblades, consisting of the entirety of the blades in the paddle, eachblade having two edges, two wide surfaces, a first end, and a secondend; a continuous peripheral rim, completely surrounding and enclosingthe totality of blades; and an integral collar and shaft, defining anaxis about which the pastry paddle rotates and bisecting the continuousperipheral rim; wherein the continuous peripheral rim and the integralcollar and shaft are joined together at a junction, which defines thetransition between the collar and the shaft, with the collar beingoutside the continuous peripheral rim and the shaft being inside thecontinuous peripheral rim; wherein the shaft has a first side and asecond side, the first side and second side being disposed opposite ofone another; wherein each and every blade in the totality of bladesbelongs to either a first plurality of blades or a second plurality ofblades; wherein the first plurality of blades is disposed on the firstside of the shaft, each of the blades in the first plurality of bladesis parallel with one another, and at least one end of each blade in thefirst plurality of blades is attached directly to the continuousperipheral rim; and wherein a second plurality of blades is disposed onthe second side of the shaft, each of the blades in the second pluralityof blades is parallel with one another, each of the blades in the secondplurality of blades is perpendicular with each blade in the firstplurality of blades, and at least one end of each blade in the secondplurality of blades is attached directly to the continuous peripheralrim.
 4. The pastry paddle for use with an electric mixer of claim 3wherein the continuous peripheral rim is formed from piece-wise members.5. The pastry paddle for use with an electric mixer of claim 3, whereinthe continuous peripheral rim is contoured so as to conform to the sidesof a standard mixing bowl.
 6. The pastry paddle for use with an electricmixer of claim 3, wherein the continuous peripheral rim is symmetricalabout the shaft.
 7. The pastry paddle for use with an electric mixer ofclaim 3, wherein the continuous peripheral rim has the shape of ascutiform.
 8. The pastry paddle for use with an electric mixer of claim3, wherein the shaft extends downward from the junction and intersectsthe continuous peripheral rim.
 9. The pastry paddle for use with anelectric mixer of claim 8, wherein at least one end of each blade in thefirst plurality of blades is attached directly to the shaft.
 10. Thepastry paddle for use with an electric mixer of claim 9, wherein atleast one end of each blade in the second plurality of blades isattached directly to the shaft.
 11. The pastry paddle for use with anelectric mixer of claim 3, wherein each of the first plurality of bladesis perpendicular to the shaft.
 12. The pastry paddle for use with anelectric mixer of claim 3, wherein the first plurality of blades isdisposed between the first side of the shaft and the continuousperipheral rim.
 13. The pastry paddle for use with an electric mixer ofclaim 12, wherein the second plurality of blades is disposed between thesecond side of the shaft and the continuous peripheral rim.
 14. Thepastry paddle for use with an electric mixer of claim 3, wherein adefinable spacing exists both the first plurality of parallel blades andthe second plurality of parallel blades.
 15. The pastry paddle for usewith an electric mixer of claim 14, wherein the definable spacing isbetween 6 mm and 13 mm.
 16. The pastry paddle for use with an electricmixer of claim 15, wherein the definable spacing between each blade inthe first plurality of parallel blades and the second plurality ofparallel blades is uniform.
 17. The pastry paddle for use with anelectric mixer of claim 3, where each edge of the totality of blades isroughened.
 18. The pastry paddle for use with an electric mixer of claim3, where each edge of the totality of blades is tapered.
 19. The pastrypaddle for use with an electric mixer of claim 3, where each edge of thetotality of blades is both roughened and tapered.